|
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
memo menos 2.11.03 It’s that time of year again, when the ACADEMY of MOTION PICTURE ARTS and SCIENCES thinks the entire world revolves around its’ silly popularity contest. The nominations for this year’s Oscars were announced this morning, and once again a film about music, without a singer in the cast heads up the nominations. MOULIN ROUGE last year, sporting a vocally clueless NICOLE KIDMAN was all the rage until awards night when A BEAUTIFUL MIND won top banana. This year CHICAGO has been blessed with 13 nomination, including BEST PICTURE, as well as acting nods for RENEE ZELLWEGER and CATHERINE ZETA JONES for BEST ACTRESS and supporting actress RESPECTIVELY (why JONES is nominated as supporting is the first joke-she’s a lead in that film if there ever was. QUEEN LATIFAH is supporting-but that’s another story.). The praise is surely not for the singing, in this musical, as neither they, nor fellow lead RICHARD GERE can sing a lick. What cluelessness reigns when casting for a musical results in no singers in the cast is beyond me!… Meanwhile, JONES and husband MICHAEL DOUGLAS are in the throws of a vicious lawsuit in England over the unauthorized publishing of their wedding photos. The whole thing seems a bit disingenuous since they sold the rights to similar shots to a competing rag, and made big bucks for it. DOUGLAS admitted in testimony yesterday that the claimed loss was a bit silly compared to losing an arm. No kidding. Besides, shouldn't these two worry about the time when papparazzi don’t want to snap photos of their sorry, old asses?…Back to the ACADEMY-isn’t there something fundamentally wrong with those sorry asses when they honor Director ROMAN POLANSKI, a fugitive from justice for child molestation, with a nomination for BEST DIRECTOR for his work on THE PIANIST? I mean, how is it any different than the brouhaha MICHAEL JACKSON has caused with his antics in the last few days?…And speaking of antics, is the flap over the DAME EDNA column in VANITY FAIR just a publicity stunt or what? Everyone knows that VANITY FAIR Oscar party is the biggest publicity stunt going. Coincidentally, now the magazine is sitting atop a brewing scandal over remarks written by DAME EDNA EVERAGE, the Aussie drag queen with an advice column in the mag. When asked by a supposed reader whether to learn to speak Spanish, the aging diva made a lame attempt at humor, disparaging Latinos in the process. Something about nothing in Spanish worth reading, and no one to whom it is worth Espanolling. It’s no big surprise that DAME EDNA had something rude to say about Latinos-she has something rude to say about everyone, particularly herself. EDNA’S an equal opportunity bitch. The real stunner is the serious, written response from cover girl SELMA HAYEK who lambastes DAME EDNA for her thoughtless remarks whilst chastising her to speak more to the "leaf blowers and the help". Yeah, like SELMA does a lot of socializing with the gardeners. And with her nomination today for BEST ACTRESS as FRIDA, do you think she’ll be doing much more slumming with the help? Come on, SELMA. A wise Spanish lady once told me "en boca cerrada no entran moscas." Get a clue, por favor…MADONNA, J-LO, ANGELINA and BRITNEY gathered a few flies for their work in film this year, at least, according to the folks that put out THE RAZZIE AWARDS. MADONNA, a 4-time winner is nominated for WORST ACTRESS as a result of her stunning work in SWEPT AWAY. She has fierce competition from BRITNEY SPEARS in CROSSROADS; JENNIFER LOPEZ in ENOUGH and MAID IN MANHATTA;, ANGELINA JOLIE in LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT; and WINONA RYDER in MR. DEEDS. Now that’s an awards show with a clue or two. 10.23.02 MEMO MENOS Did you see CHARLETON HESTON waving his rifle yesterday, performing his duties as President of the National Rifle Association campaigning for pro-gun candidates in the upcoming elections. HESTON recently announced to the world that he had Alzheimer’s disease and he is expected to end his reign with the NRA, which began in 1998, next spring. In a photo opp from Manchester, New Hampshire, HESTON held a flintlock rifle in one hand high over his head and stated: "From my cold dead hands!" to the wild cheers of the gun loving crowd. Now that’s just what this country needs, another loon with a firearm, this one a celebrity no less, terrorizing the masses. It’s time to come down from the burning bush Chuck. 10.16.02 MEMO MENOS  With near panic setting in around Washington D. C. over the sniper/terrorist, the BUSH administration is balking on the implementation of a firearm fingerprinting system, which could possibly identify a specific shooter by the markings on the fired bullet. Granted, it is not clear that science can perform this lofty function, perhaps not yet. But why in the world would President BUSH oppose even the notion of tracing shooters. It would seem to be a no-brainer. It’s kind of like DNA evidence for shootings.After all, it is this administration that is spending trillions on a Star Wars missile defense shield. And there is no certainty that it will ever work. Why would the administration balk at gun fingerprinting on the basis that it might never work. Here’s a clue-the National Rifle Association opposes the idea. And BUSH has acted in near lock-step with whatever the NRA wants…What could possibly be the objection to this idea? The NRA has swayed public opinion, as well as lawmakers, to allow citizens to possess high power assault weapons, like that being used by the East Coast sniper. Do they really have an argument why citizens should be allowed to fire those weapons without the possibility of law enforcement ever being able to trace the gun owner in the event of an alleged criminal use of that firearm? This I’ve got to hear… IS THE FBI ENTIRELY WITHOUT A CLUE?? 5.22.02 by: Memo Menos FBI Director ROBERT MUELLER told a private audience on Monday that another terrorist attack on this country is inevitable. Furthermore, he said there is little he could do to stop it. The remarks were not intended for the general public, but all the news organizations ran the story. And why wouldn’t they? Is this really the mindset we want for our domestic intelligence and law enforcement agency? I mean, that kind of talk doesn’t instill much confidence in the heartland or in the bureau? Not very inspirational, is it? If there’s anything to this self-fulfilling prophecy thing, we’re screwed! I don’t care how much of an uphill battle it is to safeguard this country from random terrorist actions, we ought to have an FBI Director whose sole guiding mission and every statement related thereto is to prevent even one more such act from happening. Likewise he should demand the same of his staff, particularly in light of the apparent loosey-goosey behavior prior to September 11th. Why wasn’t the Phoenix memo followed up on? Who was notified of it? What actions, if any, were taken? Do others in the operation have the same kind of helpless regard for their jobs? Director MUELLER should be vigilant, now more than ever, and should speak accordingly, even if it is to a room full of confidants, or Republicans. Anything less is giving up and what sense is there in that! IS THERE AN EMBARGO ON CLUES? 5.20.02 by: Memo Menos President BUSH today announced his policy on Cuba. In large part it is a rehash of the last 40 years of animosity, sanctions, embargoes, travel restrictions and aid for dissidents. What is new is that it was announced just hours after a former American president was on Cuban soil speaking democracy and freedom to its people, with the open invitation of FIDEL CASTRO himself. Why did BUSH choose this day to bark out at CASTRO? Was he embarrassed by CARTER’S rebuke on public television, with CASTRO present, of the administration’s claim that Cuba may be developing and exporting bio-terrorism? Is CARTER held in such low regard that he couldn’t possibly have a shred of information that might be relevant to the formation or continuation of our treatment of the situation? Does humiliating a former American president make things any better? BUSH didn’t even consult with CARTER before his grand announcements today. CARTER when asked Friday whether he would speak with President BUSH upon his return said he would file a written report with the president. Obviously that report had no influence on BUSH, since he hadn’t even gotten it before his speech today. What is so urgent in American-Cuban relations that this appearance and speech had to be made today before some debriefing of CARTER about his meetings with CASTRO, and/or his meeting with the dissidents? CARTER says the dissidents don’t want it. It stigmatizes them and hinders their efforts at political gain. Likewise, the sanctions only work in CASTRO’S favor, giving him leverage with his people, all the while making the United States the bad guy. And what sense do travel restrictions make? If JIMMY CARTER can visit Cuba, all Americans should be able to do so. What, are we going to fill the jails up with people who want to visit a Caribbean nation? Or that want to visit relatives? Puulllease, get a Cuban clue! We need our prison space for those who smoke a joint or two for severe pain relief, and for terminally ill patients who want to shorten their suffering by committing suicide. CAN WE BUY A CLUE, PAT? 3.7.02 by: Memo Menos The political WHEEL OF FORTUNE is spinning wildly for some high profile Republicans on this day. The BUSH administration is scrambling to get their markers on the right horse in the race for California’s governor’s house. Early on, DUBYA and his forces handpicked former LA mayor RICHARD RIORDON to unseat GRAY DAVIS, and give BUSH a friendly partner for the 2004 elections in a state where GEORGE W. BUSH did poorly in 2000. The administration masterminded the campaign, fed RIODON tidbits of policy and political ammunition so as to boost his chances to unseat DAVIS. But something funny happened on the way to the general election, unknown BILL SIMON smoked the White House choice for the jackpot prize. Who knew that SIMON, an ultra conservative compared to RIORDON’S moderate views, with no experience as an elected official, and an inherited family business to show as his resume, with a failed savings and loan scandal tarnishing his less than impressive credentials, would win easily over the more moderate republican? Certainly not the White House………………….Talk about swings of fortune. Could anyone be higher on the hog than former Mayor, and newly crowned price, Knight and king of the world RUDY GUILLIANI? He will be in LA on Friday March 8 to receive the RONALD REAGAN FREEDOM AWARD. All this apparently had little sway on New York State Supreme Court Judge JUDITH GISCH Wednesday. JUDGE JUDITH denied a request by GUILLIANI for joint custody, and upheld a limited visitation schedule that limits contact between the children, ages 12 and 15, and GUILLIANI’S current girlfriend JUDITH NATHAN. The ruling forbids overnight visits by the children if Ms. NATHAN is present. Just when you think you’ve hit the jackpot, that damn bankrupt slot spins around to bite you in the ass………………….Can you believe that Independent Counsel ROBERT RAY is still in the news? He is the one who replaced now irrelevant KENNETH STARR in the ongoing investigation of BILL CLINTON and the plethora of scandals that dominated the White House in the waning years of his second term. RAY yesterday released what we only hope is the final report on the whole mess. And rather than tie it all up quietly, buy a gift certificate with the balance and go to commercial, RAY had to reach out and  grab at VANNA WHITE. He had to get his last gasp of fame before he too goes away quietly, never to be heard from again. RAY not only reported the facts, as the imprimatur of his office allows, but he also had to add his two cents worth. . According to the counsel, President CLINTON committed perjury and obstruction of justice, and there was sufficient evidence to convict him of those crimes, but it was the wise and reasoned discretion of ROBERT RAY that spared the President the embarrassment of a trial, conviction and perhaps jail time. He let him off. How thoughtful? Can we buy this man a clue, Pat?LOOKING FOR CLUES… 12.3.01 by: Memo Menos The beat goes on for Attorney General JOHN ASHCROFT’s search for clues into the terrorist threat in this nation. Along the way, he continues to obliterate the constitution and civil rights, as we know them. His latest pronouncement from his bunker at the Department of Justice was that religious groups "suspected of terrorist activity" would apparently be subject to the federal spying and eavesdropping that is fast becoming the government service du jour. All in the name of the war on terrorism, you know. "People who hijack religion and make out of it an implement of war will not be free from our interest" ASHCROFT said Sunday morning on MEET THE PRESS. Wait. Does this mean ASHCROFT will now direct the focus of our nation’s law enforcement onto the hate and civil warmongering preached by the likes of JERRY FALWELL and PAT ROERTSON? Does the General mean what he says? After all, ASHCROFT claims the government is justified to infiltrate religious groups, which use their religious teachings to exact war upon this nation. How many Americans have died as a result of hate crimes, encouraged, perpetuated and ratified by the diatribes espoused by so called men of faith? The same men of faith, who after this nation’s worst tragedy spun statements that gays and lesbians were to blame. How many gays and lesbians are at war every day because some people feel empowered to hate as a result of these actions? What did these religious men think these words would do, engender compassion and understanding? Of course not! They knew exactly the impact of their words! Like the thousands of others directed at gays and lesbians, other minorities, and woman who wish the freedom to control their decisions on childbirth. First, they knew they would garner sufficient attention to make the news, and thereby be heard by their frontline "grunts". You know, the ones who get their hands dirty fighting the daily battles, doing the work in the trenches. Then they knew they could dance and spin and slip out of such irresponsible statements, without any liability. Can you imagine the outrage, if for instance JOHN ROCKER (you, know, the baseball player) had said them? But somehow, because this war is waged by a respected member of a recognized religion, the bombs float right through our "civil defenses" and are allowed to hit their targets, dead on. Then they sit back, these men of God, cloaked in their robes, bathed in all their non-profit glory. They live on guerilla tactics, hit and run. Then they watch, as the effects of their payload ripple across the land, impacting the innocent in this country just trying to live their lives. For once, I agree with JOHN ASHCROFT. Those terrorists who hijack religion to practice war on free, constitutionally protected Americans, whether they be gay, or black, or supporters of abortion, or anyone who isn’t the same religion of these few "chosen", those religious frauds ought to get a lot more than the attention of our Justice Department. They ought to get the full force and effect of our law enforcement system. It ought slam into them like a cluster bomb, or a daisy cutter, and rip into their networks and tunnels of hate. They ought be smoked out, and dragged into the bright white of a courtroom to face the counterpart to freedom-justice. The same justice we are attempting to exact around the globe. Shame on the Attorney General, our leader of justice, if he doesn’t deliver on this freeing promise. Sound off: Send us your comments/complaints! |
|||||
|
© 2001 Manmade Multimedia, Inc. all rights reserved
|
 |